10 Replies Latest reply: Jan 29, 2008 5:29 PM by greenjumpyone RSS

    Incident/Flash light meters

    greenjumpyone Community Member
      If you guys/gals had to choose a incident/flash light meter for me, would you choose either one of these?

      Sekonic L-358 ( http://tinyurl.com/2r9wl3 )

      Shepherd/Polaris SPD100 ( http://tinyurl.com/28sshw )

      If not one of these, do you have any other suggestions?

      thanks!

      hopper
        • 1. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
          Community Member
          For complete control of the scene, you need a spot meter in addition to the the other modes. Something like an L-558* model would give you everything... though I've never tried that meter.

          I like to carry three meters. Well, not so much now that I'm using a half-pound P&S digital camera. An incident meter for main use, an all-in-one mainly for low light, and a Pentax Digital Spotmeter for Zoning out.

          I've used a batteryless Sekonic L-398* Studio Deluxe series for years; before that a series of Westons. It's easy to knock the cone off, and these old-style meters are more fragile. Excellent accuracy and quick to read in all but very low light levels. It would be a good backup meter when the battery dies on the bigger one, or when you want to verify your calculations.

          But if you only have one meter, and you are serious about it, look for something that has some kind of spotmeter feature.
          • 2. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
            Community Member
            Sekonic L-358

            -phil
            • 3. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
              Community Member
              Just noticed this attachment on the BH page:

              Sekonic
              1 Degree Viewfinder

              MFR# 401361
              B&H# SEVF1D
              Price: $ 159.95

              Is it usable?

              I think my concern about carrying multiple meters for reliability, started when I tried to use Weston meters.
              • 4. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
                Dirk Williams Community Member
                What ever meter you buy. Make sure it has an adjustment dial or screw to calibrate it.
                • 5. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
                  Hudechrome-sd9sPI Community Member
                  I only see meters that have zeroing adjustments for d'Arsonval meters. Not too many of those around any more. The Weston comes to mind. No other external calibration is needed or desirable. What is the standard light source you would use to calibrate?
                  • 6. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
                    Community Member
                    My favorite meter of all time was recently discontinued. Minolta Flashmeter 6. Does just about everything as the top of the line Sekonic but for less money and in a much sleeker design. They come up used once in a while and would be my choice.
                    • 7. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
                      Community Member
                      Given Hopper's experience level, I'm guessing she's just looking for a basic, inexpensive, and reliable flash meter with maybe a few additional features she could grow into once she learns more about external flash photography.

                      The Seconic L-358 is exactly that. Very straightforward and easy to use, however there are some advanced features I find extremely useful. One of them is the ability to break out a mix of ambient and flash illumination as a percentage. Comes in very handy in mixed light environments. Another is the ability of integrating wireless triggering via a $50 PocketWizard transmitter. http://tinyurl.com/2qc6mf

                      -phil
                      • 8. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
                        greenjumpyone Community Member
                        I will look to see if my local shop carries the Sekonic model. I might even get a chance tomorrow to call them! :)

                        I will be getting the Polaris unit as a birthday present next week. I'm not supposed to know about it, but one of the givers couldn't keep it a secret for too long. Given that my birthday has already passed, she just couldn't contain herself! ;)

                        When she purchased the Polaris, she ensured that I would be able to return it, if I wanted a different model. I will likely do that.

                        thanks for the suggestions/advice. :D

                        hopper
                        • 9. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
                          Community Member
                          Happy Birthday, Hopper.

                          Every time I think of German Chocolate cake, I think of you!

                          <img src="http://www.patriceart.com/patricebooneportraits/www/cookbook/cakegerchoc.jpg">
                          • 10. Re: Incident/Flash light meters
                            greenjumpyone Community Member
                            Thanks Paz!

                            I got the new Sekonic meter today. :) I haven't read the manual yet, but I did get a quick lesson from the photo store guy. Maybe this weekend I'll get to <s>play</s> work with it. :D